Leslie David Hofstad, “Les”, was born at home in Grand Forks, ND on August 15, 1940, to parents Osmund and Marie (Johnson) Hofstad. In 1943 he and his family moved to the family farm north of Oklee, MN where Les attended school, graduating from Oklee High School in 1958. While in high school, Les played football, basketball, and track. He served in the US Army from 1960-63, spending most of his time in Germany, stationed at Karlsruhe. After his honorable discharge, he worked road construction in the summer and attended Bemidji State College in the winter, graduating in 1970 with a BS degree in elementary education. He then taught 5th grade at Plummer Elementary School and coached B team basketball. Les retired from teaching after 22 years to go full time farming, raising grain and beef cattle. In 2011 he retired from farming.

While teaching in Plummer, he met his future wife, Alice Gummert. They were married August 17, 1974, and had 51 happy years together. To this union two children were born: David and Diana. Les and Alice enjoyed traveling to Germany, San Franciso, New York City, Florida, and Arizona.

Les was very active in the Plummer American Legion having served as post commander, chaplain, bingo caller, and on the color guard. He also served on the SWCD and RC&D boards. After earning his private pilot’s license, he enjoyed flying over area farms, looking at crops and giving rides. He was a member of the Red Lake Falls Flying Club, the Tri-Rivers Museum of Plummer, Plummer Sportsman Club, and Plummer Snowmobile Club. Most of his life he was a member of Salem Lutheran Church of rural Oklee where he was confirmed and had served as usher, Sunday School teacher, congregation president, financial secretary, and council member.

Les was proud of his military service and was on the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. in April 2025. He loved his community, his church, and his family.

The sixth of nine children, Les is survived by his wife Alice, son David and his wife Stacey Oklee, MN, daughter Diana Marquart and husband Travis and grandchildren Ellalynn Marquart and Ethan Marquart of Red Lake Falls, MN. He is also survived by his sister Elaine Broker of Grafton, ND, numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and cousins Caroline Marquis of Cascade, MT and Ione Olson of Thief River Falls, MN.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers: Stanley-2005, Orlando (Jean)-2023, Paul-1963, Raymond (Karen)-2010; his sisters: Doris (Wallace) Nelson-2009, Lois (Bobby) Westmoreland-2021, Carol (Kerry) Roisland-2024; his cousins: Warren Wilmo, Wesley Wilmo, Alice “Durley” Wilmo Dulac, and Glenn (Linda) Hofstad.

Surrounded by his family, Les passed away on January 8, 2026, at the age of 85 years, 4 months, and 24 days from an aggressive cancer of unknown original. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to Salem Lutheran Church or Tri-Rivers Museum. May his memory be blessed.

Funeral service for Les will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at Salem Lutheran Church near Oklee, MN with SAM Lindi Christianson and Reverend Timothy Lundeen officiating. Burial will be at the Salem Church cemetery. Military Honors will be provided by the Red Lake County Joint Honor Guard and the Minnesota Army National Guard Honor Guard.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 16, 2026 starting at 5:00 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.